THE ROLE OF STING IN CANCER

Abstract

Innate immunity is the first line of host defense against infection by microbial pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. Recognition of nucleic acids by innate immune sensors is an important means to detect and protect against of pathogens in infected cells. In this project, we show that the cytosolic DNA sensor STING may regulate the levels of cytosolic DNA in cancer cells. Activation of STING in infected cells leads to the production of type I interferons. In accordance, constitutive expression of type I interferons partially depended on STING in cancer cells. In summary, our data suggest that STING contributes to recognition of cytosolic DNA presence in cancer cells.